FROM EDN EUROPE: Program DSPs directly in LabView

National Instruments has extended the capabilities of the LabView graphical development environment by adding a module that directly generates executable code for certain Texas Instruments DSP chips and development boards. Previously, designers might have developed signal processing algorithms in LabView but would have had to transfer them to an environment such as TI's own Code Composer Studio to compile the code. The DSP Module is aimed at both DSP developers and engineering students (as a learning environment), providing a graphical, system-level context in which to directly programme their hardware. It will program TI TMS320C6711 and C6713 evaluation boards, including NI's own Speedy-33 board with signal processing functions, and elements such as spectral analysis and filtering, without a separate DSP compiler.

Programming is by the established LabView drag-and-drop graphical user interface. NI says that the module also cuts the time needed to make incremental changes to a project. It integrates with the LabView Digital Filter Design Toolkit, that includes tools for modelling and creating software-based filters, as well as FPGA code-generation capabilities to offer a further implementation alternative.

National Instruments, www.ni.com, +44 1635 523545